Howdy all, I want to get some of our club members into trekking. There are only a couple of guys that want to do it for real.
Looking for some good ideas about winter trekking. We go out in the high desert of Northwestern Nevada. It does get pretty cold, I am pretty sure we would have to do it with at least 2 blankets. But, I definitely want to go with as little gear as possible.
I'm a greenhorn at all of this, but I want to learn and do it right!

Chuck, the best way to get started is to read the tips on here, use common since, get a buddy and go for it. You will learn each time. First time you go , try to pick your weather. Then challenge yourself more each time. If conditions get unfavorable, stick it out, but use common sense. when you go, make sure someone knows where you are going to be. Don't count on the cell phone, but they aren't a bad idea in case of emergency. Above all use common sense! Like I said there are a million tips on this list. That and experience are the best teachers. Where are you located? Good trekkers are hard to find, they are like best friends, but worth the effort. Good luck and have fun.

Correct, don't rely on a cellphone for emergencies. Take your 2 meter handheld ham radio. They will always get out to a repeater for calling for help. They are the most reliable communication available to average Joe. Cheap too.

my first period trip was in my back yard. my second was with a few experienced people. You might try to do a drop camp first--a close walk to the car but in some woods or the desert in your case... store a sleeping bag in the car if things get unbearable (they wont)

I've slept out with a single blanket in January when the nighttime low was 10 degrees, and I used a hot coal bed. Dug a hole about 6 feet long, two feet wide and two feet deep, got a raging fire burning for about 3 hours then let it burn down, then covered the hot coals and ashes with about 6 inches of dirt. Let it steam for a while or cover with a tarp. Kept me warm all night.

I've also heard about carrying some thick 100% wool bags and stuffing them with hot stones, then putting these stones inside the blanket with you. I haven't tried this one yet.

Sounds cool to dig a 6X2x2 foot hole .
But with temps that low seems like the ground would be froozen down a ways.
Tomuch work for me to dig in frozen ground.
Reflecting fire and a good thick nest of broughs and leaves seems more appealing to me.
As ya get older ya get tired fast.

You're right, the ground was frozen down quite a ways, but we kept a fire going for a while where we wanted to dig and then were able to dig the thawed out ground. For clarification purposes, we were in an old sand pit. Digging a hot coal bed requires mineral soil as opposed to forest soil.

And to make a confession, we had a couple of young'uns with us and they did all of the digging. We old timers supervised and drank coffee.